Sea, salt, and sand - these are the three things that you need to escape all the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Lying on warm sand, basking in the warm glow of the sun, smelling salty air and appreciating that blue expanse can give you more than that ultimate cliche vacation.

Taking a beach vacation has some profound effects on our mental state and soul that we certainly can’t achieve in our everyday routines. Several studies have shown that going on vacation by the water not only makes us feel relaxed, it can actually help shrink life’s problems into a smaller view.

Here are some of the mental health benefits of spending time by the water.

1. It helps fight off stress.

According to a recent study, higher levels of blue space visibility were linked with lower psychological distress. This means that your stress will likely be reduced if you spend more time around blue skies and water.

2. It can help combat depression.

Basking under the heat of the sun can do wonders for your mood. A study carried out by researchers from the University of Alabama discovered a link between decreased exposure to sunlight and increased probability of cognitive impairment. This is because natural light increases levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter for pleasant moods.

3. It can boost your creativity.

Did you know that looking into a blue ocean can boost your ability to think creatively? A study conducted by University of British Columbia, staring at the color blue puts your mind at ease and allows it to wander freely.

4. It can help you doze.

Do you want to get your well-deserved sleep? Breathing fresh sea air and listening to the sound of crashing waves can improve your intake of oxygen which balances your level of serotinin. This in turn can help regular your natural sleep and wake cycles.